The Malkoff Front Porch

[RWT1405]

There was an aftermarket PWM multimode switch for C-series SureFire incandescent flashlights, way back when. It could also technically be used with an LED dropin instead of a lamp, of course, but the rate was incredibly slow.

Yes, and not just SureFires

At least 1 company (may have been the same company?) had same/similar switch, that worked for multiple flashlights

I wish I could remember the name of the company


Late note: With more thought, the 1 I'm thinking of was for a Strobe feature, for incan flashlights

If IIRC, there was also a way to use for a lower mode maybe (I could be mistaken about that however)?

They were marketing this for Police/Tactical use

Thinking about it, it may have been Shomertec (spelling?) that sold it?

 

[leukos]

G&P sold a tailcap like that, I still have one.

 

[Schokokeks]

The original SF A2 uses PWM for the bulb, circuit designed by Willie Hunt. AlanB, JimmyM, wquiles, and AW all built PWM circuits for Mags and Surefires years ago. Essentially flat regulation for incans. Still use them and appreciate the advantages of PWM for these lights.

Neat!

It's a shame incandescents haven't hung around more, because they're just kind of neat.

 

[DE73]

What M61 is this? Old ones or some kind of special run?

https://www.batteryjunction.com/search?q=Malkoff&productListPgNo=1

 

[iacchus]

What M61 is this? Old ones or some kind of special run?

https://www.batteryjunction.com/search?q=Malkoff&productListPgNo=1

Those look to be the standard drop-ins Gene offered.

 

[marco.weiss]

Is there any way to convert a Malkoff tailcap to operate as a twisty without having to modify the McClicky switch?
I remember two ways to modify the switch:

• locking the switch in the “on” position using a rubber piece;
• modifying the switch itself, as already shown in a thread here on the forum.

I wouldn’t want to modify the switch, as that could reduce its reliability.

OR...
Replace the tailcap with one of these alternatives:

• https://www.lumensfactory.com/en/product_detail.php?pid=578
• https://www.lumensfactory.com/en/product_detail.php?pid=579

Do you think the internal parts of those Lumens Factory tailcaps could be used, in the same way as the ZeroRez, which could replace the McClicky switch?

 

[RWT1405]

What M61 is this? Old ones or some kind of special run?

https://www.batteryjunction.com/search?q=Malkoff&productListPgNo=1

Those look to be the standard drop-ins Gene offered.

Unless there is something I'm missing, I agree with iacchus

They appear to be just standard Malkoff M61 drop-ins

However, at a premium price (compared to Malkoff Devices own site)

 

[marco.weiss]

Unless there is something I'm missing, I agree with iacchus

They appear to be just standard Malkoff M61 drop-ins

However, at a premium price (compared to Malkoff Devices own site)

And without discount coupons or the attention and interaction with the excellent people that are Cathy and Gene.

 

[DE73]

Unless there is something I'm missing, I agree with iacchus

They appear to be just standard Malkoff M61 drop-ins

However, at a premium price (compared to Malkoff Devices own site)

But they don’t use the same LED.

 

[iacchus]

But they don’t use the same LED.

Gene used that Cree for quite some time. For a while you had the choice between the Cree and the SST direct from Malkoff. These seem to be from that older lot.

 

[DE73]

Gene used that Cree for quite some time. For a while you had the choice between the Cree and the SST direct from Malkoff. These seem to be from that older lot.

That must be many years ago. When did they end production with Cree? Anyone remember what Cree they used for them? CRI?

 

[iacchus]

That must be many years ago. When did they end production with Cree? Anyone remember what Cree they used for them? CRI?

XP-L if I remember correctly. ~80CRI I think. I have a couple from circa 2017. I don't know when he moved away from them, but uses the same emitter in some of the MDCs.

There was a Nichia M361 run available for a long time at a different reseller, but I can't remember who. Those were nice and rosy, but I only have one left. Neat to run on an MD2 w/ a high/ow ring.

 

[RWT1405]

That must be many years ago. When did they end production with Cree? Anyone remember what Cree they used for them? CRI?

XP-L if I remember correctly. ~80CRI I think. I have a couple from circa 2017. I don't know when he moved away from them, but uses the same emitter in some of the MDCs.

There was a Nichia M361 run available for a long time at a different reseller, but I can't remember who. Those were nice and rosy, but I only have one left. Neat to run on an MD2 w/ a high/ow ring.

 

[Schokokeks]

That must be many years ago. When did they end production with Cree? Anyone remember what Cree they used for them? CRI?

The listing says XP-G, at 3700K (for the W) and with the chart above, that puts it at 2013 vintage.

I assume they bought some stock, and it's been sitting around for a dozen years. Unless you're really into the XP-G, I'm not sure why you'd pay extra for these.

 

[aznsx]

The listing says XP-G, at 3700K (for the W) and with the chart above, that puts it at 2013 vintage.

I assume they bought some stock, and it's been sitting around for a dozen years. Unless you're really into the XP-G, I'm not sure why you'd pay extra for these.

I imagine they ordered several of a few model modules to test the waters and see if some of their customer base might be interested in Malkoff. I just searched 'P60', and they carry a (very) few other P60s as well. My guess is that experiment didn't bear much fruit, but it is (at least now) a fairly niche market, although some like me are only recently getting into it. I'm a little surprised they haven't cleared them out at bargain prices during black Friday days or the like, but some may still want them. I, for example have some XP-G/1/2 (and some other old emitter) lights that I still consider quite useful / usable.

Keep in mind that BJ isn't your average small retail distributor, but are a retail part (DBA) of Shore Power Inc., which is a relatively large wholesale distributor.

 

[aznsx]

Ya know @RWT1405 I don't care what anybody says - you're OK with me

I was checking your post of yesterday, and that's some pretty cool info you posted!! A year or 2 back, I purchased a mint Elzetta Bravo, w/ low profile, non-crenellated head from the 'Illumination By Malkoff Devices" marking days, from a (fine) seller on this site. It is now one of my very favorite lights, and most-grabbed when heading out the door. No other flashlight works with my hand like a Bravo (EDIT: aside from my Alpha G3) (I have 2 now).

It shipped with a Malkoff module, clearly brass, with a machine-printed label marked simply 'Malkoff M60' (patent pending), and a 'Serial Number' of Z+7 digits. It uses an 'optical element' of some kind. The seller told me that he believed it uses an 'XRE' emitter, and guessed it is from ~2007.

The first thing I thought of the output was that it was very nice, and noted how much it reminds me of my first Streamlight Strion LED (rated 160 L, running on essentially 1x18650), which I used on 12-hour night shifts for years in a manufacturing plant (and which still sits here working perfectly with zero repairs;-).

Anyway, it appears I may be the proud owner of one of the earlier Malkoff modules ever produced. I am definitely impressed with it, and I think that's pretty darn cool! I admit that light is currently using a Sportac module, but I would never get rid of that original module. It's not only now a 'collector's item', but is also still a very nice, usable module to boot!

Thanx much for posting that!

EDIT: Just for equal time in a Malkoff thread, in addition to the 2 Bravos, I also have 2 MD2s w/M61s sitting here too:-)

 

[RWT1405]

Ya know @RWT1405 I don't care what anybody says - you're OK with me

I was checking your post of yesterday, and that's some pretty cool info you posted!! A year or 2 back, I purchased a mint Elzetta Bravo, w/ low profile, non-crenellated head from the 'Illumination By Malkoff Devices" marking days, from a (fine) seller on this site. It is now one of my very favorite lights, and most-grabbed when heading out the door. No other flashlight works with my hand like a Bravo (EDIT: aside from my Alpha G3) (I have 2 now).

It shipped with a Malkoff module, clearly brass, with a machine-printed label marked simply 'Malkoff M60' (patent pending), and a 'Serial Number' of Z+7 digits. It uses an 'optical element' of some kind. The seller told me that he believed it uses an 'XRE' emitter, and guessed it is from ~2007.

The first thing I thought of the output was that it was very nice, and noted how much it reminds me of my first Streamlight Strion LED (rated 160 L, running on essentially 1x18650), which I used on 12-hour night shifts for years in a manufacturing plant (and which still sits here working perfectly with zero repairs;-).

Anyway, it appears I may be the proud owner of one of the earlier Malkoff modules ever produced. I am definitely impressed with it, and I think that's pretty darn cool! I admit that light is currently using a Sportac module, but I would never get rid of that original module. It's not only now a 'collector's item', but is also still a very nice, usable module to boot!

Thanx much for posting that!

I wish I had put where I copied it from, however I do not remember

I'd like to give proper due credit, to whoever put the list together

I try to copy/save things like this (especially for Malkoff stuff), as it can be very difficult to tell different versions, since Gene does not "mark" them

Glad I was able to help you!

 

[Schokokeks]

I wish I had put where I copied it from, however I do not remember

I'd like to give proper due, to whoever put the list together

I try to copy/save things like this (especially for Malkoff stuff), as it can be very difficult to tell different versions, since Gene does not "mark" them

Glad I was able to help you!

And, thank you for doing so.

You'd recently posted some helpful information on the 219B Illumn drop-ins, which are no longer visible on the site, either.

And, here I was, thinking I was just a neurotic nerd copying and pasting the specs from the Malkoff page whenever I bought a drop-in, but a few years later, and I'm already glad I did.

 

[aznsx]

EDIT: Just for equal time in a Malkoff thread, in addition to the 2 Bravos, I also have 2 MD2s w/M61s sitting here too:-)

 

[GMT2330]

Excellent chart RWT. Interesting to see an M31LL as early as 2011.
Also M31WL produced in 2011 and 2013.
Perhaps these were small number limited editions for Oveready or a group buy here at CPF?